NETWORK RAIL OPENS DOORS TO AIRDRIE-BATHGATE CONSTRUCTION SITE
Monday June 30, 2008
Network Rail opened its doors to local MSP Mary Mulligan on June 9th to demonstrate the innovative techniques being used to deliver the new double tracked section of railway between Bathgate and Edinburgh.
Pre-fabricated sections of track (switches and crossings) are being manufactured and assembled by Balfour Beatty in a nearby factory, before being taken to the former STVA freight depot in Bathgate where they have been assembled and checked by Network Rail. Network Rail will use the 16 day blockade in July to install these new sections of track between Bathgate and Boghall. This process allows Network Rail to shorten the amount of time needed to close the line and speed up the introduction of the double tracked service to Bathgate.
Mary Mulligan spent an hour with project manager Joe Mulvenna to look around the former STVA freight yard in Bathgate where the 60 metre, 125 tonne structure has been assembled in advance of the engineering works which started this weekend (28th and 29th June) and which will affect local commuters over a sixteen day period from Friday 4th July through to Sunday 20th July.
Ron McAulay, Network Rail director, Scotland commented:
“We are very proud of the techniques being employed to deliver this section of the Airdrie-Bathgate project. By using local suppliers, Balfour Beatty, we are already demonstrating how this railway will help to bring economic benefits to West Lothian. By creating the track locally, we will also reduce the cost and environmental impact of transporting the materials to site.”
The Bathgate line closures in July and again in October this year have been planned to allow us to work on double tracking the Bathgate – Edinburgh section of the line. New platforms at Livingston North and Uphall will also be completed by October, giving passengers a much more comfortable and reliable travelling experience.
Ron McAulay added:
“We have timed the main closures to coincide with weekends and local holidays to keep disruption to a minimum. There is no ideal time to carry out this type of work, but this short term interruption to services will contribute to long terms improvements for the rail network in Scotland.”
ENDS
Note to Editors:
Forthcoming Edinburgh / Bathgate Service Alteration Dates:
• Sat 05 to Sun 20 July
• Sat 13 to Sun 14 September
• Sat 20 to Sun 21 September
• Sat 27 to Sun 28 September
• Sat 04 to Sun 05 October
• Sat 11 to Sun 19 October
• Sat 25 to Sun 26 October
The Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Link is a £300 million project funded by Transport Scotland which will re-establish a rail link and provide passenger transport services through central Scotland. The line will connect local communities not currently served by public transport to Edinburgh in the east and Glasgow in the west. This will provide access to important employment, education, health and leisure opportunities as well as promoting a sustainable transport alternative.
The Airdrie-Bathgate Railway and Linked Improvements Act 2007 received Royal Assent in May 2007 following the Scottish Parliament's unanimous cross-party support for the project.